Holy Crap!!!

[PATTERSON]

This past weekend I went down the road to the dealership to pick up a new gas and air filter...............

Half a jar of vaseline later I walk out (bow-legged) with a receipt for $65.04!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad:

My wife would have been proud of me....I didn't say a word....just walked out to the bike....got on and left.

This is absolutely insane!! Air filter for $38.79......and gas filter for $20.99??
I ride every day...this isn't a HOBBY with me like it is with some folks out there who have the "I don't care what I spend my money on" attitude. I am so close to throwing in the towel......riding a bike is so close to NOT being worth it anymore!!

Rant done...........as you were ladies!!

[juggler]

The OEM air filter for a GL1800 is $17.

And there are aftermarket filters for a lot of bikes. It looks like only K&N makes one for the K12, it's a cleanable filter, and it's $60.

I'm always torn about stuff like this, especially given the option of buying stuff off the 'net.

The dealers want us to buy all our parts and doo-dads from them, and take our bikes to them for service so they'll stay in business and be there for us when we need them.

Then they charge an arm and a leg for everything.

Of course, it's not necessarily the dealer's decision. I'm sure BMW establishes a "suggested price", and certainly sets the wholesale price. On the other hand, I have seen prices for the exact same part *double* from one dealer to another.

[gulfxray]

I feel your pain... Every spring I go to my favorite dealer and by the stuff I need for general maintenance - filters, gaskets, oil, etc.

Even though I truly like the guys/dealership it hurts and does take some of the fun out of it... This year, I'll probably order most of my stuff from Chicago BMW....

The only consolation is we aren't paying $65+ per hour in addition.


PS - I believe the expression is Holy Bat Crap....

[jorawro]

That is the reason that I switched to the K&N filter.

[Morley]

Go here http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?mfrpartnumber=bm1299 and order your K&N for $44.99. It just makes sense to get a reuseable filter.

[sanjaun2]

Just thank GOD that you are installing it yourself. The labor charge to do that job will really get your attention. My advice to you is to hold off until the 36k or later to change those filters. Here in the northwet the air filters last a long time. After 24k mine was almost spotless. The fuel filter also looked very good on the inside but there is no guarantee on that.

[zippy_gg]

The only consolation is we aren't paying $65+ per hour in addition.
Try $90.00/hour in the L.A area!:eek:

[K1200LTryder]

All this talk of high labor rates makes me think about coming out of retirement and breaking out the wrenches. (back issues mandated a career change)...Although the parts prices seem rather high, it's pretty much universal on anything with 2 wheels these days.

The local Honda dealer here wanted over 600 bucks to replace clutch plates and springs on my friends bike last summer. I did it in 2 hours, and bought the replacement clutch parts aftermarket...55 bucks for parts. I didnt ( but tried to) refuse the "C" note shoved in my pocket after it was done...and we are still friends !!!!


LOL

[zippy_gg]

This past weekend I went down the road to the dealership to pick up a new gas and air filter...............

Half a jar of vaseline later I walk out (bow-legged) with a receipt for $65.04!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad:

My wife would have been proud of me....I didn't say a word....just walked out to the bike....got on and left.

This is absolutely insane!! Air filter for $38.79......and gas filter for $20.99??
I ride every day...this isn't a HOBBY with me like it is with some folks out there who have the "I don't care what I spend my money on" attitude. I am so close to throwing in the towel......riding a bike is so close to NOT being worth it anymore!!

Rant done...........as you were ladies!!Add to that a complete oil change kit with BMW synthetic motor and transmission/rear drive oils, a set of spark plugs, and you need to take a second mortgage!:(

[Caper11]

I did my 24K maintenance on my 2000lt just recently. Synthetic oil all around, plugs, fuel and air filter. Cost over $200.00 for parts. The maintence schedule for the Beemer is a bit over kill anyway. I flew on C130's in the Air Force for over 20 years and our maintence schedule wasn't as bad as what BMW's schedule is. Only thing I worry about is valves and fluid changes. On my bike it can all be done in my garage while having a few beers. It's a great bike though and I wouldn't own any other :think:

[Steve_R]

Which is eggzachery the reason I use non-BMW oils and spark plugs.

And Shane you're wrong, it is "Holy Crap Batman."

[gulfxray]

Which is eggzachery the reason I use non-BMW oils and spark plugs.

And Shane you're wrong, it is "Holy Crap Batman."

Stove, check the spelling of my name... I have actually heard both. Doesn't matter - the stuff is expensive... Right now I don't care because for the first time in 2 weeks, I can get the beast out - man it felt good!

[PMitchell]

I feel your pain... Every spring I go to my favorite dealer and by the stuff I need for general maintenance - filters, gaskets, oil, etc.

Even though I truly like the guys/dealership it hurts and does take some of the fun out of it... This year, I'll probably order most of my stuff from Chicago BMW....

The only consolation is we aren't paying $65+ per hour in addition.


PS - I believe the expression is Holy Bat Crap....
Wow, $65/hr. I'd like to find a dealer that would charge < $80.00

[Morley]

I I flew on C130's in the Air Force for over 20 years
The Four Fan Trashcan. Hated going anywhere on those things...too slow, too cold and too noisey.

[Steve_R]

The Four Fan Trashcan. Hated going anywhere on those things...too slow, too cold and too noisey.And despite that, the Air Force is still buying new ones. The airframe facility in Marietta is still pumping them out.

[hoodoodrum]

The Four Fan Trashcan. Hated going anywhere on those things...too slow, too cold and too noisey.

DOD downsizing almost stripped our local ANG Base of our birds. Instead we'll get the new version less the navigator. I do love those low alt flyovers. Always enjoy a summer LT ride north of town to watch TOL's.

[Morley]

And despite that, the Air Force is still buying new ones. The airframe facility in Marietta is still pumping them out.
Well, I've never credited the AF with an over abundance of smarts. During my tenure in there they kept making the same stupid mistakes and poor decisions that had been made before..

And on to the LT relevant part.... If you do a lot of searching you may be able to come up with some cross ref parts for the consumeables you need for the periodic maintenance. I've found NGK plugs made for it @ $3.00 ea as opposed to the $9.00 BMW wants...The reuseable K&N for just $10 more than the disposable paper one. Still looking for a suitable fuel filter.

[Hilton]

During my rear drive, swing arm removal (for slave drilling) I carefully checked the needle bearings in the rear drive and decided they needed to be replaced. Slightly rough in the race. Easy enough to do, but the cost each. $ 88 AUD. Wow !!!! Look after those little suckers ! 7 Nm only to pre-load.

[SmokinJoe]

This past weekend I went down the road to the dealership to pick up a new gas and air filter...............

Half a jar of vaseline later I walk out (bow-legged) with a receipt for $65.04!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad:

My wife would have been proud of me....I didn't say a word....just walked out to the bike....got on and left.

This is absolutely insane!! Air filter for $38.79......and gas filter for $20.99??
I ride every day...this isn't a HOBBY with me like it is with some folks out there who have the "I don't care what I spend my money on" attitude. I am so close to throwing in the towel......riding a bike is so close to NOT being worth it anymore!!

Rant done...........as you were ladies!!

Chicago BMW 20% discount, not great but hey it's a BMW!!!:rolleyes:

[bwingate]

This past weekend I went down the road to the dealership to pick up a new gas and air filter...............

Half a jar of vaseline later I walk out (bow-legged) with a receipt for $65.04!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad:

Vaseline?

Lucky bastard . . .

Bruce.

[Rethy]

I take it you cheap bastards aren't springing for the $400 annual ABS brake service? Don't you guys realize to ride a BMW you should be in the top 2% wage earnings. The dealer told me I should not be on a BMW if I thought the $400 annual brake service was too high. :mad: What to hook it up to a computer and bleed the brakes. I to struggle with these maintenance costs as I have several bikes in the garage and keeping up on them all gets pricey. The BMW is by far the most expensive to maintain. But it is a sweet ride.-----Rethy

[hoodoodrum]

Don't you guys realize to ride a BMW you should be in the top 2% wage earnings. -----Rethy

Buying beemers has dropped me from the top 10% to 30% because my wallet has shrunk in a dramatic fashion. In this household, the wife gets to spend equal on frivolous things. Beemer bikes, upkeep, and accesories are killing me!! Still not completely sure why I'm totally endeared to the bikes, but they are really cool unique machines.

[Florian]

DOD downsizing almost stripped our local ANG Base of our birds. Instead we'll get the new version less the navigator. I do love those low alt flyovers. Always enjoy a summer LT ride north of town to watch TOL's.

Nothing like a greasy burger at the Turtle.


F

[Morley]

Vaseline?

Yeah, it holds the broken glass bits in place better for a fuller effect.

[hoodoodrum]

Nothing like a greasy burger at the Turtle.


F

Ahhh, the Turtle..... Mansburg's finest! :))

[Robin]

Every 12K miles I get to put out (so to speak) $900 for the service. This service insures my extended warranty is up to date, but gathering that kinda change is a hassle when I'm trying to put at least 18K miles a year under me.
I know Bobs does a great job on the service and I don't begrudge them the cost, but that cost is exactly why I got project bike ('83 R100RT) to drive around and do the wrenching on myself. This way I can ride without incuring the expense quite as often. After the warranty runs out, however, I'm gonna be doing the maintainence my self.

Robin

[Doug_Gentry]

Man the first time I changed the air filter I was cursing like a drunk sailor. Who ever made the decison to put that under the tank is just stupid. Granted, I don't know where else it would go but having to pretty much dismantle the bike to change a filter was a shocker.
Once I got to the air filter no was was I going to not do the fuel filter.... ACK! WTF!

I was able to do it all, but now I know why to costs a fortune to have it done.

[grifscoots]

Man the first time I changed the air filter I was cursing like a drunk sailor. Who ever made the decison to put that under the tank is just stupid. Granted, I don't know where else it would go but having to pretty much dismantle the bike to change a filter was a shocker.
Once I got to the air filter no was was I going to not do the fuel filter.... ACK! WTF!

I was able to do it all, but now I know why to costs a fortune to have it done.

Wait till you have to do a rear main seal, talk about dismantling a bike.

[boxer259]

$83.00 dollars per hour NJ

[mikster]

i am new to this site.Anything you buy for your bike from the dealer is not cheap. i am shocked at the price of accessories and parts. never would have bought a bmw knowing what i now now.it is a nice bike though.

[donscoin]

It's not just BMW that's expensive. They all are. But stop and think. Would you rather put that money into a Harley that shakes and vibrates you to pieces or on a nice smooth Beemer? I love my LT. Don

[Axiom2000]

If you think these things are expensive to maintain. Don't buy a boat. I have a boat with two Volvo diesels and do most of the routine stuff myself. Last summer I needed to change the compressor oil. Went to the local dealer and he drops these two little teeny weeny bottles of this stuff (6oz.) on the counter and says, with a straight face, that will be $64.00. I guess they figure if it is for anything recreational they can charge whatever they want. And apparently they are right.